In a world where being loud, visible, abrasive, and performatively working is worn like a badge of honour, Fred Waithaka stands out for being reserved, analytical, and hardworking. His efforts have paid off immensely, making him a notable exception in corporate Kenya.
“I am an introvert, and I take that as my strength, my superpower. Because it allows me to think through things more carefully and critically,” reflects Fred.
His calm head and steady hands proved invaluable when Safaricom faced a massive crisis during the Reject Finance Bill protest in June 2025. And it is in play as Safaricom navigates the aftermath of the crisis.
“We are working to rebuild trust. It is a journey that will be faced by being on the ground with our customers, engaging with them,” says Fred.
As the Head of Regulatory & Public Policy at Safaricom and in his acting capacity as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Fred considers his job and that of his team to be “to clear the runway for Safaricom to be able to deliver its promises to our customers.”
A lover of animals who owned 13 cats, Fred wanted to be a vet growing up. However, his parents steered him away, and an uncle who was a lawyer inspired him to pursue a career in law. What started as a forced marriage has evolved into a mutual and blossoming love over the past two decades.
His love for animals persists, but older and married Fred has had to give up cats.
“Right now, we have a dog. We have a Labrador; my two kids love dogs. She’s a crazy dog, but we love her all the same,” says Fred with a hearty laugh of a man who knows compromise is essential in marriage.
Born and raised in Nairobi, Fred studied law in the UK. Upon his return, he bagged a prestigious pupillage in the firm of Kaplan and Stratton and passed his bar exams.
Fred’s Safaricom career had a break in between when he joined Seacom, when it launched Africa’s first undersea cable. The stint at Seacom, during its build phase as it expanded fibre across Africa, stretched Fred. He became an authority in the telecommunications and digital regulatory space.
His career success continentally heralded a return to Safaricom and carved the path to his current position, where he influences Safaricom’s and ultimately Kenya’s regulatory policy framework in matters telco and tech-co.
In this episode of the Safaricom Newsroom podcast, Fred talks about Safaricom’s decision to work with the government to enhance public service delivery, the thinking behind the Critical Infrastructure Bill, and how Safaricom tackles sustainability and philanthropy.
He also expounds on the importance of the Universal Service Fund (USF), ongoing policy discussions around satellites in Kenya, negotiations with the government regarding the cost of energy, and the implications of classifying the internet as a basic need.
Watch the informative episode below.
